OFFICER CONVICTED FOR TELLING COUSIN TO LIE

Verdict Triggers Disciplinary Action by Victoria Police

Three years ago, Victoria police Const. Rob Dosanjh made a phone call
that got him suspended him without pay, charged with obstruction of
justice and that very well could cost him his career.

It was Dec. 9, 2003, and police had raided the Saanich home of
Dosanjh's cousin, Mandeep Sandhu, seizing three ounces of marijuana,
$35,000 in cash, a computer and some personal papers. Family members
immediately called Dosanjh, a 13-year veteran of the force, and asked
for help dealing with the situation.

Dosanjh called Sandhu and advised his cousin to lie about the origin
of the money, unaware the entire conversation was being recorded by a
police wiretap.

Last week, B.C. Supreme Court Judge Carol Baird Ellan convicted
Dosanjh of "willfully attempting to obstruct, pervert or defeat
justice" by counselling Sandhu to make "false statements to police."

The verdict means the resumption of B.C. Police Act proceedings
against Dosanjh that could cost him his job. Those proceedings have
been sidelined since charges were laid in January 2005 pending the
outcome of the trial.

"There's disciplinary authority under the act and that can range from
no discipline all the way to termination," said police Chief Paul
Battershill. "The Police Act is suspended pending the disposition of
criminal charges."

In her decision, Baird Ellan said the conversation left no doubt in
her mind that Dosanjh knowingly counselled Sandhu to lie. She
rejected defence lawyer Ian Donaldson's argument his clients comment
were "musings" and hypothetical suggestions.

"The language Dosanjh used was not merely suggestive. It was positive
advice and included a suggestion that the uncle 'attest' to the story
as well," the judge observed.

Baird Ellan found that Dosanjh knew the funds were likely the
proceeds of crime and provided his cousin with a basis for attempting
to get the money back.

Court documents show that Victoria police had Sandhu under active
investigation for drug trafficking in 2002 and 2003. Police were also
targeting Jas Bains, a "known associate" of Sandhu's. Officer Dosanjh
knew about both investigations.

As early as 2001, Dosanjh's "superior officer and friend, Sgt. Gord
Cochrane," warned Dosanjh not to associate with Sandhu.

Fearing that Dosanjh was leaking information to his cousin, police
placed the veteran officer under surveillance. In hundreds of
recorded phone conversations, Dosanjh never crossed the line until
police raided his cousin's house.

Six days later, Dosanjh was suspended.

Two weeks later, the same investigation that targeted Sandhu led
police to the provincial legislature, where investigators seized
files from the offices of senior ministerial assistants Dave Basi and
his cousin Bob Virk.

The raid, part of an RCMP probe into drug trafficking, organized
crime and money laundering, revealed evidence of political corruption
in the sale of BC Rail, resulting fraud, bribery and breach of trust
charges against Basi, Virk and another relative, Aneal Basi.

The following August, Sandhu, Bains and Dave Basi were among eight
people charged in a Canada-wide drug trafficking conspiracy. The drug
charges against Basi and Sandhu have since been stayed.

Three of Sandhu's co-accused have already plead guilty to drug
charges. The other three, including Bains, are scheduled to appear in
court this fall.

Bains's preliminary hearing is scheduled fro Oct. 23 in Victoria.

Battershill said Police Act proceedings against Dosanjh could take
several weeks.

Donaldson said Monday he and his client have yet to decide whether
there will be an appeal.

EXCERPT FROM WIRETAP

One of the most telling exchanges between Victoria police Const. Rob
Dosanjh and his cousin, Mandeep Sandhu, went like this:

Sandhu: "I don't know, I'll just say (the money) was my uncle's."

Dosanjh: "Yeah, well exactly, just say, does (uncle) Harvinder drive a cab?"

Sandhu: "Yeah."

Dosanjh: "Just tell 'em you were saving it for him over the years."

Sandhu: "All right."

Dosanjh: "And he's gotta attest to it too, right?"

Sandhu: "All right."

Dosanjh: "OK.

Sandhu: "I don't know, I'll figure it out."

Dosanjh: "All right, well, talk to a lawyer before you say who the
cash belonged to."